Method and apparatus for geophysical prospecting



Feh 13,1940 G. PoTAP'ENKo 2,190,321

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GEOPHYSICAL PROSPETING Filed Dec. 22, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEK Feb. 13, 1940. A ca. PoTAPENKo 2,190,321

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING Filed D90. 22, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 @ver 7- f @Mg/w ATTORNEY.

Feb. 13, 1940. 2,190,321

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GEoPHYsIcAL PRosPEcTING G. POTAPENKO Filed Dec. 22, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

Feb. 13, 1940. s. Po'rAPENKo 2,190,321

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GEOPHYSICAL PRSPECTING Filed Dec. 22, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 H yi u 651 66 7/ L BY wwm Y ATTORNEY.

lFeel). 13, 1940. G. PoTAPl-:NKO

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING Filed Dec. 22, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNvENToR. Gen/mdf /oafa/oenkay ATTORNEY.

Fell 13 1940- G. Po'rAPENKo 2,190,321

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING Filed Dec. 22, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR, enn adj fafa/vento.)

BY M @a ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 13, 1940 y UNITED STATES PATENT oFFflcE METHOD AND APPABA-TUS' FOR GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING Gennady Potapenko, Pasadena, Calif., assigner to Geo-Frequenta Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application December zz, issaseriai No. 1s1.143

' 14 claims. w1. ris-182) My invention relates to a method and appara- Fig. 11 shows diagrammatically an alternative tus for geophysical prospecting. measuring circuit for the apparatus of Fig. 9 or It is an object of my invention to provide a Fig. 10. method which is of assistance in determining the Fig. 12 shows dagrammatically a low frel structure oi the underlying earth and in locating quency alternating current generator employed l certain bodies within the earth which diiIer from in my apparatus. their surroundings in electrolytic polarization Fig.'13 shows diagrammatically a distributor characteristics. L type relay which I may employ in my apparatus.

Another object is to provide a method of de- Fig. 14 shows diagrammatically a complete apll termining the electrolytic polarization characparatus for performing the functions of the apl teristics of underground structure, whereby the paratus of Fig. 4.

structure may be identiiied. Fig. 15 shows an alternative apparatus for Another object is to provide a method of measgeophysical prospecting. uring the polarization of the earth indirectly. The method oi' my invention is based upon V u A further object of the invention is to provide the phenomenon of eieetrolytic polarization. 15

a method of determining the differences in po- Basically, the phenomenon can be considered to larization between different parts of the earth. be demonstrated by the apparatus oi Fig. l. Stili another object of the invention is to pro- Assume a tank' I0 containing an electrolyte II. vide apparatus whereby these methods may con- In contact with the electrolyte are the spaced vemently be carried out, electrodes I2 and I 3 connected in a circuit with a 20 The manner in which I attain these and other battery I4, switch I5, and current measuring apparent objects will be clear'from a considerainstrument I6, the negative pole of the battery tion of the following description taken in conbeing Connected to electrode I2. When the nection with the accompanying drawings, of switch I5 is closed, current starts to iiow in the QI which, v circuit but in case ofmost electrolytes the cur- Fig. 1 shows an apparatus for demonstrating rent almost immediately begins to decrease as the basic phenomena underlying the invention. shown in Fig. 2 due to the polarization of-the Fig.,2 shows the relation of current and time electrolyte at inhomogeneities existing therein. after closing the switch in the apparatus of Fig. In the case of oil a noticeable decrease of current n 1 with'a non-oil-bearing electrolyte in the tank. due to polarizationy takes place only after a delay` 30 Fig. 3 shows the manner vof variation of the of about one second. 'I'he polarization in the arpolarization of the earth when aconstant polarizrangement of Fig. 1 exhibits itself as a concening electromotive force is applied during the intration of negatively charged ions near the surterval ti tz. f face of positive electrode I3 and. a correspond- 8 Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically an apparatus ing concentration of positively charged ions near 35 ior performing my method of geophysical prosthe surface of negative electrode` I2, as shown'in pecting, I Fig. 1, the electrode surfaces constituting in- Flg. 5 shows the manner in which the homogeneities in the electrolytic circuit. These E. M. F.s and currents are .varied in the apparaconcentrations of` oppositely charged ions in the n tus, of Fig, 4, electrolyte make itA moreV difcult for current to: 40

Fig. 6 shows diagrammatically an alternative pass through the electrolyte and in effect consti apparatus for performing myI method o1 geotute a counter-electromotive torce in the circuit physical prospecting. in opposition to that of the battery Il.- This Fig. '1 shows the.\manner in which the E. M. F. of polarization'gradually builds upto an 4l, E. M. F.s and currents -vary in the apparatus of" equilibrium value and reduces the 'current corre-i 45 u Fig. 6. spondingly as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 shows diagrammatically an alternative When, in the arrangement of Fig. l, the circuit y arrangement of measuring circuit for the apis broken after polarizationl has built up, the params of Fig, 6. l E. M. F. of polarization will exhibit itselfV and be Fig. 9 shows diagrammatically an ,alternative measurable at the electrodes.- This E. M. F. 0f 50 arrangement of apparatus for geophysical prospolarization, however, will rather quickly dispecting. charge itself by passage ofv polarization currents Fig. 10 shows diagrammaticaliy an alternative vthrough the electrolyte and will decrease to arrangement of apparatus for geophysical prosnothing. In'Fig. 31s shown the manner in which u pecting, the electrolytic polarization is built up during the' I lowing interruption of the polarizing E. M. F.

Since the conduction of electric current through the earth takes place for the most part electrolytically, similar phenomena. are exhibited when electrodes electrically connected in the earth are energized. But while these phenomena take place in the earth as in the simple experiment of Fig. 1, they are altered and complicated by the complexity of the structure of the earth. The earth generally consists of many strata and lenticular deposits of many different kinds of material having diierent conductivities and poflarization characteristics. These strata and deposits constitute inhomogeneities in the electrolytic circuit, at the boundaries of which polarization charges are built up. For example, metallic ore deposits exhibit intense polarization eects. and the polarization of an oil bearing earth dif- 'fers from non-oil-bearing earth around it. Polarization may also be built up within a stratum or a deposit when the stratum or deposit is not homogeneous. These facts demonstrate that polarization eiects can be an effective tool in determining the structure and character of underlying earth.` My present invention enables ,one to very accurately measure polarization of the earth andits dependence upon time, and yis-free from errors which generally accompany any method whereintransients or discontinuous observations are involved. In my me'thod the polarization of the earth traversed by electric current is preferably continuously indicated,'and this continuing condition of equilibrium during the making of an observation makes for high accuracy which is necessary if small diierences due to deep-lying structure are to be significantly found.

In the practice of my invention, I preferably polarize the earth by means of a unidirectional electromotive force in connection therewith by means of spaced electrodes, and measure ,the polarization, thus set up, by its effect upon two successive oppositely directed currents traversing substantially the same path. In one form of my invention, diagrammatically illustrated inFig. 4,

I may electrically connect to the earth 38 a pair` of spaced electrodes 2| and 22. In circuit with these electrodes is a vsource of direct current 23,

' a switchA 24, and a relay switch 25. While I may connect to electrodes 2| and 22 the circuit about to be described, provided the electrodes 2| and 22 are'of the non-polarizing type, I prefer to connect it to additional non-polarizing electrodes 26 and 21A electrically connected to the earth preferably between, but not close to, electrodes 2| and 22, respectively, although it will be understood that the measuring electrodes 26 and 21 may be moved about to'various locations to explore the entire region. A double-throw switch 31, when in position a, connects` electrode 26V through relay switch 28 to the relay 29 comprising switches 30 and 3|. Through switches 28 and 30 are connected in the circuit source 32 of direct current and direct current measuring instrument 33, while through switches 28 and. 3| are connected in the circuit source 3l of direct current and direct current measuring instrument. 35. One terminal of each of instruments 33 and 35 are connected together and through direct current measuring instrument 36 and balancing circuit |1 to the electrode 21. The switch 31, when in position b, connects the electrode 26 potentiometer I9 connected through a reversing switch 20 in such a way that a variable potential difference in either direction may be inserted into the measuring circuit. The relay switches 25 and 23 are adapted to. be closed alternately as are also the relay switches 30 and 3|. The timing of these relay events is definitely determined as will hereinafter be explained. It will be understood that these relays are shown purely diagrammatically, and devices of various kinds may be employed to provide the connections required, someof which will be hereinafter described in detail. The polarities of sources 32 and 34 are opposite so that when switches 23 and 30 are closed and switch 31 is in position a, source 32 `is connected in circuit with electrodes 26 and 21 with the resultv that electrodes 26 and 21 have polarities opposite to those previously existing at electrodes l2| and 22, respectively; while when switches 28` and 3| are closed, switch 31 being closed in position a, source 34 is connected in circuit with electrodes 26 and 21 to energize these.

electrodes with polarities' opposite to 'thoseexi'sting when source 32 -is in circuit, and therefore in the same direction as the polarities previously Fig. 5 is shown the manner in which the polarizing E. M. F. applied to electrodes 2| and 22,

and the measuring E. M. F.s'.applied to electrodes 26 and 21 may be varied withtime. The relay switch 25 may close at time t1 (,Fig. 5) vand remain closed until time'tz, causing the E. M. F.

of source 23 to be applied to electrodes 2| and 22 and to vary as lcurve A. During this time the current in the circuitv may be varying as dotted curve'B due to the polarization of the earth.

Then after an interval'iof 'time t2 ta, during which time switches 25 and 28 are both open, the measuring circuit is connected. 'I'he switches 23 and 3| are closed and remain closed for a brief interval until time t4 whereupon switch 3| opens and switch 30 closes and remains closed luntilA time t5 when both switches 30 and 23 open. At time ts switch 25 again closes and the-cycle is repeated. In the interval ts t4 an E. M. F. C is being appliedvto a portion of earth to which the polarizing E. M. F. A was applied. Hence in this interval the resultant electric current measured on instrument 35 is opposed by the preplied to the same portion of earth, but since this E. M. F. is in the same direction as the counter E. M. F. of polarization previously set up in the earth during interval ti tz, the resultant current Vviously vset up E. M. F. of polarization and, in f flowing during interval t4 ts, measuredon inf strument 33, will be assisted by the polarization of the earth and will, in consequence, be higher Vas indicated by the dotted line F. The' intervals t3 t4 and t4 tris are preferably made-equal, very short, and immediately adjacent so that lthere is no appreciable change in earth polarization during the measuring period t: ts. It will be seen that polarization of the earth exhibits itself in a greater current in the meter 33 than in the meter 35 during the times over which these currents flow. Now if the cycle is repeated for a large number oi' times the system comes to equilibrium and the instruments 33 and 35 read the average of their currents over the cycle.

It is then a simple matter to compare the average of currents F and D over the cycle, measured in instruments 33 and 35, respectively, and if current F is greater than current D, polarization ex-y ists in the earth and the amount of the differ-1 ence is a measure of thedegree of polarization existing in the interval t ts. In order to lcompare these two currents automatically I provide the ballistic current measuring instrument 36 which is so connected that both currents F and D pass through it. The instrument 36 therefore indicates the diiference between currents F and D and therefore directly indicates the .degree of polarization existing. Although all three instruments 33, 35 and 36 may be employed together in the circuit, as shown, only the instrument 36 need be read.

'Ihe relays connecting the polarizing and measuring circuits are preferably adapted to permit changing of the interval t1 tz to polarize for a longer or shorter time; changing the interval t2 t: to measure the polarization at different stages of its discharge; and changing intervals t3 t4, t4 t5, and t5 ta. 1

Since the normal earth currents balanced out by balancing circuit I1 may change during a test, I prefer to rebalance the earth currents just prior to the beginning of each cycle, in the short time interval te t7. This is accomplished by making the switch 31 a relay switch and causing it to connect to b position at time te, and at time t7 to return to a position. The potentiometer I9 is kept adjusted to a position in which no indication is noted on meter 40. Preferably, the time t2 ts is made long enough for the polarization existing in the earth to substantially completely discharge itself before the beginning of a new cycle, and under such circumstances the interval of balancing te t1 comes when there is no polarization to aiIect the indication of meter 40. I may, however, make the interval t: ta shorter than the time required for polarization to completely discharge itself, and in this. case the adjustment of potentiometer I9 to result in zero current through meter 40 during the interval ts tr effectively balances out in the measuring circuit also the eiect of the polarization remaining at the beginning of the nextl cycle.

I preferably measure the earth polarization as above described at each of a plurality of times during the discharge of polarization.4 In Fig. 3, the measuring period ta t5 is shown located at a time .when the polarization is P3. The measuring period is in additional tests located at various times during' the discharge of polarization. so as to measure polarizations P1, Pz, P4, etc., A suiliclent number of such observations are made to allow the plotting of a complete polarization discharge curve.

In the apparatus of Fig. 4, if the electrodes 26 and 21 are not perfectly non-polarizing, a

very small error may arise in measuring the currents D and F due to the fact that the small polarization present at the electrodes during time interval ta t4 is not immediately discharged and an opposite polarization is not immediately huilt up when the E. M. F. reverses at time t4. In order to avoid any possible error due to this cause, I may employ the circuit illustrated in Fig. 15. The same polarizing circuit is employed including electrodes 2| and 22, direct current source 23, switch 24 and relay switch 23. Two

pairs of measuring electrodes |30, I3I, and III. |33 are employed, all electrically connected to the earth, the electrodes |30 and |32 being relatively near together and the electrodes |3| and |33 being relatively near together. The electrodes |30 and |32 are shown closer to electrode 2| than to electrode 22. 'I'he electrodes |30 and |3| are adapted to be connected through a measuring circuit including the balancing circuit |1, instrument 36, instrument 35, and source 34 by the relayswitches |34 and |35. The electrodes |32 and |334 are likewise adapted to be connected through a measuring circuit including the balancing circuit I1, instrument 33, instrument 33,

and source 32l by relay switches |36 and |31.

The meter 40 on which earth currents are read is connected in circuit with the electrodes I 32 and |33 and the balancing circuit I1 by relay switches |36 and |33.` 'Ihe polarities of thevarious direct current sources are the same as stated in-connection with Fig. 4.

The sequence of relay switch events is as lfollows: Assume relay switches 25, |35, |33, |31 and |33 open, relay switch |34 closed, and switch 24 closed; At time t1 the switch 25 closes, initiating the polarizing period; and at time t2 the switch opens. At time t: the switch |35 closes. At time t4 the switches |34 and |35 open and switches |36 and |31 close. At time t5 switch |31 opens. At time te the switch |33 closes. At time t7 the switches |33 and |36 open and switch |34 closes. At time ts the switch 25 closes and the entire sequence is repeated. It will be understood that the current D will be measured on instrument 35 and is passed' through electrodes and |3|, while current F will be measured on instrument 33 and is passed through electrodes |32 and I 33. Ihe difference oi' currents F and D which measures the polarization of the earth will be indicated on instrument 36 as in Fig. 4. Since the oppositely directed currents D and F pass through diierent pairs of electrodes, no error results from any slightpolarizationl at the electrodes.

An alternative system involving the principle of intermittently polarizing the earth and measuring the polarization by application of successive electromotive forces of opposite direction, is that illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. In this arrangement the polarizing circuit is the same as in Fig. 3 and includes electrodes 2| and 22 electrically connected to the earth 33v and in circuit with relay switch 25, source of direct current 23 and switch 24. .The measuring circuit includes, as in Fig. 3, the electrodes 26 and'21, switch 31 in its-a. position, andrelay switch 23. In this case, however, the circuitvv proceeds froml the switch 23 to a source oi' preferably relatively low frequency'alternating current 4| ,-and'thence to two branched circuits in parallel. the other ends of which are connected to electrode 21 through direct current measuring instrument 36 and balancing circuit I1.

In onebranch is the rectiiier 42, permitting current to pass toward the elec- 4 trode'21, through the direct current measuring instrument 43. In the other branch is the rectiiier 44, permitting current to pass away from electrode 21, through the direct current measuring instrument 45. The switch 31, in its b position, connects the electrode 26 to a point between instrument 36 and balancing circuit i1.

In operating the apparatus of Fig. 6, I preferably rst balance out the normal earth currents by throwing switch 31 to b position and varying the potentiometer until no current is indicated by the meter 4B. Switch 31 is then thrown to position a, switch 24 is closed, and the relay switches l 25 and 28 are caused to function to produce the desired events. 'I'he relay switches are adapted and are adjusted to connect the polarizing and measuring circuits at certain time intervals which may be as in Fig. '7. At time T1 switch 28 opens and switch 25 c1oses,applying a unidirectional E. M. F. G. The switch 25 remains closed until time T2 when it opens and switch 28 closes, applying the E. M. F. H. which at that particular time is being produced by the alternating current source 4i. At time Ta switch 28 opens and switch 25 closes, again applying the unidirectional polarizing E. M. F. G. At time T4 the relay switches again operate, cutting o the polarizing E. M. F. and applying the E. M. F. K of the alternating current source 4i then existing. Similarly the relay switches open and close to apply the unidirectional E. M. F. G during time intervals T5 Tc, T7 Ts, T9 T10, and T11 T12, `While the E. M. F. of the alternating current source is applied during the intervals Tc T7, Ta To, T T11, with values which may exist at these particular intervals. It will bev noted that froml a little before T1 to a little after Ts the E. M. F. due to the alternating current source 4i is positive and directed so as to cause current to ow through V-the earth in the same direction yas the E. M. F. G due to the unidirectional source 23, but that from a little before Tv to a little after T12 the E. M. F.

due to source 4i is in the opposite direction.

;. During the periodic intervals in which the unidirectional E. M. F. G is applied, shownl shaded in Fig. 7, polarization is built up in the earth, and during the intervening periods it is partially discharged. Over a large number of cycles, the

value which aiects thecurrent due to any other applied E. M. F. For example, during the interval T2 T3 the applied. E. M. F. H is opposite in direction to the polarization built up in thev earth'and, in consequencel the resultant current L, indicated by a dotted line is relatively small, while in the interval Ta Ts'the applied E. M. F. M is in the same direction as the E. M. F. of polarization built up i'n the earth andpolarization therefore assists the passage of current, resulting inA a proportionately large current N which, however, is opposite in sign to current L. The average of current L is indicated on instrument 45, and the average of current N on instrument 43. The instruments 43 and 45 are preferably so designed` as to indicate only the average of the currents passing through them over the entire cycle of alternating current and not to vary-their. indications with each individual interval. One measures the degree of polarization of the earth, then, by determining the dif ference between the current indicated by instrument 43 and that indicated by `instrument 45.

In order to indicate directly the degree of po larization of the earth by means vof the difference in current through instruments 43 and 45 I may use the direct current measuring instrument 36 in the circuit with electrode 21 and source 4i. The instrument 36 is preferably a ballistic instru- 75 ment capable of indicating, over the cycle, the

degree of polarization reaches an equilibrium average direct current component through it, which will be a measure of earth polarization. When instrument 36 is depended upon, it'is unnecessary to read the instruments 43 and 45. l

I may alternately `employ the measuring circuit shown in Fig. 8.. vHere the instrument 43 is replacedby a thermo'couple 48 of such large heat capacity that it will respond only to the average A of current through it, and the instrument 45 is replaced by a similar thermocouple of high heat capacity 49. These thermocouples are connected in opposition through direct currentmeasuringinstrument 50. The indication of instrument 50 is, then, a measure of the difference in current through thermocouples 48 and 49, which in turn measures the polarization of the earth. V'.lhe balancing circuit i1 is omitted from Fig. 8 in the interest of .clearness.

The intervals' of time over which the unidirec- I tional and alternating E. M. F.s are applied may be varied from those represented in Fig. '1. The greater the interval during which the unidirectional E. M. F. is applied, the greater is the degree of polarization, and the polarization can also be increased by increasing the E. M. F. applied. Furthermore, itis not necessary that the unidirectional E. M. F. be applied during all of the interval that thealternating E. M. F. is unconnected. I'may, for example, apply the unidirectional E. M. F. only after an interval of time has elapsed since the disconnecting of the alternating E. M. F. and may apply the alternating E. M. F. again only after another interval has elapsed following the disconnecting of the unidirectional E. M. ,These time intervals are flexible and may be varied to study the polarization eiects in different stages.

In practicall iieldv work I preferably measure the polarization of the earth as above described with one `spacing of *the electrodes connected with the earth, then change the electrode spacing-and again measure the polarization. The object of this procedure is to cover diierent areas and different depths. As the spacing between the electrodes is increased the depth of Astrata within the earth which can contribute to the polarization is greater; By this procedure, then,

the structure of the underlying earth may be indicated by the polarization effects obtained for different electrode spacin'gs. Either the electrodes 26 and 21 of the measuring circuit, alone, may be changed from one spacing to another, or both electrodes 26 and 2,1 and also electrodes 2| and 22 may be changed from one spacing to another. In Fig. 4, as the spacing of the electrodes is increased, the polarization Vas indicated in the stratum 46 will, at some spacing, become noticeable, and as the spacing is still further increased the indicated polarization in the zone 41, which,

for example, may be an oil-bearing zone, will become noticeable. Andv because the `polarization characteristics of oil-bearing earth are different from the surrounding non-cil-bearing earth, the stratum 41 of oil-bearing earth may in this manner be recognized, and is approximate depth indicated by the electrodev spacing at which its effect becomes noticeable. y

-An alternative method of field .operation by which underground 'structure may be determined from polarization measurements is that i1- lustrated in Fig.'9. I may employ 'a polarizing circuit including spaced electrodes 5I and 52,`

electrically connected to the fearth, .a switch 53 and a source of direct current 54, the positive terminal of source -54 being connected to elecspaced a relatively long distance from the elec` trodes of the nrstpolarizing circuit. the second circuit also including a switch 61 and a source of direct current 58, the negative terminal of the source 58 being connected to the electrode 66.-

Preferably located between the above-mentioned polarizing circuits and their electrodes are three additional non-polarizing electrodes 58, 60, and

8i which are connected in a measuring circuit.

Connected to electrode 59 is the direct current measuring instrument 62, the other terminal of' which is connected to a branched circuit having Y in one branch the source of unidirectional current 69l with its positive pole connected to the instrument 62 and in the other branch the source of unidirectional current 64 with its negative pole connected to the instrument 62. The negative pole of source 63 is connected to relay contact and the positive pole of source 64 is oo nnected to relay contact 66. To the electrode 8| is connected the direct current measuring instrument 61, the other terminal of which is connected to a branched circuit having in one branch the source of unidirectional current 68v with its positive pole connected to the instru' ment 61 and in the other branch a source oi' unidirectional current 69 with its negative pole connected to the instrument 61. of source 68 and the positive pole of source 69 are connected to the relay contacts 10 and11l, respectively. The relay 12, which-is shown diagrammatically, operates in such a manner as to alternately connect, first, contacts 65 and 19 lto 'I'he negative pole the electrode conductor 13, and then contacts 66 and 1| to conductor 13 leading to central electrode 60.

It will be noted thatvwhen switches 53 and 51 are closed, polarization electromotive forces w'ill build up in the polarizing circuits due to the concentration of positively charged ions nearest the electrodes 52 and 55 and of negatively'charged ions nearest the electrodes 5| and v56. When` the relay 12 connects contacts 65 and 10 with central electrode 69, the source 63'sends a current between electrodes 59 and 69 through the earth in such a way -that the positive charges concentrated relatively near electrode 52r hinder its passage. In the same way a current is sent through the earth from electrode 6| to electrode 69 in such a direction that the concentrated positive charges nearest electrode 55 hinder its passage. When vthe relay 12 connects the contacts 66and 1I to central electrode 68, the currents through the two halves ofthe measuring circuit are in the reverse direction and are assisted in their passage by the concentrated earth charges. Thus, Whencontacts 66 and 1| are connected to electrode 66, the instruments 62 and 61 both indicate greater currents than when contacts 65 and 10 are connected to electrode 69, and the diilerence in the currents under these two conditions are measures o'f the polarization existing in the earth on the two sides, respectively, of electrode 60. The instruments 62 and 61 are preferably of a ballistic type which causes them -to` indicate the average of the currents passing through them. The polarization, then, under electrode- 59 will be indicated vby instrument 62 and the polarization under electrode 6i will be indicated by instrument 61. 'I'he difference between the currents through these two instruments will be a measure of the diterence in polarizations inthese locations, respectively, and. this difference will show difference in formation. Naturally the instruments 62 and' l1 may be' replaced by thermocouples connected in opposition, through a meter, following the principle shown iny Fig. 8, to indicate on the meter the .difference in polarization between the two areas. If, as .in Fig. 9, the electrodes 52 and 68 are over a dome within which is a zone 41 of oil-l bearingsandoverlaid by a stratum 46 of nonoil-bearing earth, the polarization under these electrodes will be diierent from that under electrodes 55 and 6|, for the positive ionic charges under electrode 59 are nearer the surfacethan are the positive charges under electrode 6i, and

closer to one polarizing circuit and away from the other until the 4'polarization under the two halves of the measuring circuit'is the same, and the amount of the shift from a central position required to effect equality will be a measure of the difference in polarlzations.

An alternative method of procedure in the field is as illustrated in Fig. 10.v Here, a single polarizing circuit is employed including the electrodes 16 and 11, electrically connected Vto the earth, a

switch 18 and a source of unidirectional current 19. The same measuring circuit as used in Fig.

9 is ,employed except that since the polarizations measured by the two halves of; the measuringcin' cuit due to the polarizing circuit are in is case of opposite sign, the 4instrument 61 is reversedwith respect to the connections thereto. With this arrangement, the difference in current indicated by instruments 62 and 61 is a measure oi' the' diierence in polarizations in the earth portions of the respective halves oi' the measuring circuit. The electrodes 59, 60,y andj6i may be shifted to different positions between 'the polarizing electrodesasin the arrangement of Fig. v9.

In the arrangement of either Fig.` 9 or Fig. 10,

I may alternatively employ the measuring cir-l cuit of Fig. l1. To the central electrode 69 is connected a source of low frequency alternatingy current 80, and the other terminal of the source 80 is connected through relay switch 83 to a branched circuit, one branch of which includes the ballistic direct current measuring instrument 8l and the electrode 6I, while the other branch includes the ballistic direct current measuring instrument 82 and the electrode 58. It will be clear from the description of theother circuits It will be obvious vthat this method that the instrument 8i will measure the difference Y between the currents passing in opposite directions through the electrode 6i, which in turn measures the polarization .in the earth circuit between .electrodes 60 and 6i. In the same way, the instrument 82 measures the polarization in the earth circuit between velectrodes 58.and 60. 'Ihe relay switches in the polarizing and measuring circuits may beoperated at intervals to con- -vious, two balancing circuits Il being employed in the case of Figs. 9, 10, and 11', with one balancing circuit in each of the two measuring circuits therein employed.

The low frequency alternating current source employed in the circuit of Fig. 11 and the low frequency alternating current sourcei employed in the circuits of Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 may be of the construction shown in Fig. 12. A commutator 65 is provided with a large number of segments S, here shown for simplicity as only 26 in number. The larger the number of segments on the commutator, the more nearly continuous is the voltage at theoutput terminals. Between each two adjacent segments is connected an electrical resistance of xed valve R. To opposite segments v S1 and S13 of the commutator 65 I connect the opposite terminals of a source of direct current 66, the positive terminal being connected to segment S1. The arm 6l carrying the brushes 66 and 89, insulated from one another, is adapted to rotate and cause the brushes 88' and 89 to bear on opposing segments and to successively contact all of the segments of the commutator. The brushes 88 and 69 are connected to collector rings 9i) and Qi, respectively, on which brushes bear to connect the rings to conductors 92 and 93, respectively. The conductors 92 and 93 are connected to the input of a power amplifier 9d which amplii'les the alternating potential difference and delivers alternating current through the output conductors 95 and 96. These conductors 95 and 66 may be considered the terminals of the alternating current generators referred to in tl'rn circuits of Figs. 6, 8, and 11. y

It will be observed that segment S1 is -positive with respect to segment S13 by the amount of the voltage of the source 66, so that when brush 88 is connected to segment S1 and brush Se to S13 conductor @2 is positive with 'respect to conduc'` tor 9S 'and the maximum potential diierence exists between them. When the arm 8l has rotated through 180 the potential diierence will again be maximum but the conductor 92 is then negative with respect to conductor 93. When the brush 86 is on segment Sv and brush t9 is on segment S19 the potential difference between the conductors 92 and 93 is zero. It will, then, be clear that as the arm 8l is rotated an alternating potential dierence will be produced between the conductors 92 and 93 and hence also between the output conductors 65 and 96. Since the po" tential at each brush is dependent upon the potential drop between S1 and the segment which the brush contacts in comparison to the whole potential drop from S1 to S1, the wave shape of the alternating potential dierence produced may be made practically anything desired by making the resistances Rof suitable value. For example, in the position of the arm 6l shown in Fig. 12, the arm makes an angle of 60 with the segments S11-S111, so if it is desired to produce a sine wave alternating current, the resistances must follow the following relation:

It an appreciable current is drawn fromthe brushes 88 and 89 thel wave shape will be distorted because of the resulting potentialdrop in the resistances and it is for this reason that the amplier 9d is provided, requiring practically no current to be drawn from the commutator. The frequency of the alternating current inconduotors 85 and 96 is proportional to the speed of rotation of arm 81, so this arm is rotated through suitable gears by a motor of constant, but adinstable, speed.

An example of the type of relay which may be employed in the `circuits above described is that illustrated in Fig. 13. Here a distributor is provided, having segments W. X, Y, and Z adapted to be successively contacted by the brush lili disposed at the end of an electrically insulating rotatable arm E63. The brush lillv is connected to collector ring it which is connected by a brush to conductor i. The arm E03 is rotated at uniform speed through suitable gears by a constant, but adjustable, speed motor. Angles of turning of the arm, therefore, correspond to time intervals. The brush tui is made of nearly the same width as that of the segments of the distributor, so' that as the arm ro` tates, the brush is substantially always in contact with some segment. Now by connecting the various segments of the distributor to various circuits it is possible to connect the conductor ills to these circuits for anydesired interval of time, depending upon how many consecutive segments are connected to the same circuit and upon the speed of rotation.

Two such relays connected for synchronous rotation and properly oriented with respect to one another may be employed to perform the functions of relay switches 25--26 of Fig. 6, one distributor relay serving as relay switch 25 and the other as switch 28. In this case, assume the distributor relay to be connected to perform the function of relay switch 28. I may then connect conductor iol to all of segments X1 X2, Ik, Y1 Y2, Ya, Z1 Z2, Z3, W1 W2, Ws, and connect conductor 66 to the a terminal of switch 3l and conductor lill to source di, while the remaining segments are left unconnected. As the arm H03 rotates, then, connection is made between conductors [06 and im during the time intervals when the brush contacts any of the connected segments, but when the brush contacts the unconnected segments, connection between the conductors |06 and im is broken. A similar distributor relay may be synchronously operated with segments so connected together that connection is made between its brushA and the connected circuits when the circuit 966 and H31 is open and the brush of this second distributor relay may be connected to electrode 2i and 'its segments to the positive terminal of source 23. In this manner I may switch on and oi the polarizing and measuring circuits of Fig. 6 as previously described.

Should I choose to useronly one electrode inv place of electrodes 22 and 21, connecting their associated circuits together, and uniting electrodes 2i and 26, I may employ only one distributar-relay. In this case I connect the brush to the electrode taking the place of electrodes 2i and 26. It will then be obvious that by connecting segments X1 vX2, Xa, Y1 Y2, Ys, Z1 Zz,

Z3, W1 W2, Ws, together and to the positive terminal of source 23 and by connecting the remaining segments together and to source 4I, the electrode is alternately connected to the source 23 and to the source 4l, or that by leaving cerl tain segments unconnected it is possible to cause is diagrammatically illustrated .in Fig. li.` In

this circuit are employed seven thyratron tubes |20, |2|, |22, |23, |24, |25 and |26 connected in circuit and controlling the seven relays |21, |28,

' |28, |30,'|3|, |32 and |33, respectively, to cause operation of these relays to connect the` polarizing and measuring circuits at the proper times. All of these relays except relay |33varel threepole, double-throw. relays, and relay |33 is a double-pole, double-throw relay. Each of the thyratrons is operatively connected to its associated relay in the .same manner. A source |34 of direct current is connected in parallel with each oi' thepotentiometers |35, |36, |31, |38, |38, |40 and |4|, the positive terminal of each potentiometer being connected to the cathode of its associated thyratron, and the movable arm .of each potentiometer being connected to the grid ofA its associated thyratron. The cathodes of all thethyratrons are connected together and to the negative terminal of the source |42 of direct current. Electrical heaters for the cathodes of the thyratron tubes are suitably energized from a source of electric current. The heaters and their energizing currents are omitted from the drawings in the interest of clearness. The anodesof the thyratrons |20, |2|, |22, |23, |24, and |26 are connected through the operating coils |43, |44, |45, |46, |41, |48 and |49 of the respective associated relays and through variable resistances |50,'|5|, |52, |53, |54, |55 and |56, respectively, to the upper terminalof the lefthand switch of each relay, respectively.` The switch arm of the left-hand switch of the rst relay |21 is connected tothe positive terminal of source |42. The lower terminal of the lefthand switch in each relay is connected to the switch arm of the left-hand switch of the succeeding relay.` Thus, the left-hand switch of each relay controls the anode circuit asabove described, the normal position of the switch arms of each relay being up, as shown. A condenser |51 is connected between the cathode of thyratron |20 and a point between resistance |50 and relay coil |43. Similar condensers |58,| 59, |60, |6|, |82, |83, butl not necessarily of the same capacity, are connected similarly in the circuits of thyratrons |2I, |22, |23, |24, |25, and |26, respectively.

The operation of each of the thyratron circuits 'may be understood from a consideration of the operation of the ilrst. With the relay |21 in normal position, shown in Fig'. 14, the condenser |51 will be charged through resistance |50,'taking a time dependent upon the product of the resistance |60 and the capacity of condenser |51. When a certain potential diierence across the condenser |51 is reached, the thyratron |20 will break down and current will pass through the tube from anode to cathode and, therefore, through operating c oil |43 of. relay |21 causing the relay to operate and contact the switch arms to the lower contacts until the relay is reset in normal position. When the left-hand switch of relay |21 contacts its lower contact, the'electromotive force of source |42 will be thrown across resistance |5| and condenser |58, eventually causing thyratron |2| to break down, resulting in the operation of relay |28. 'I'he operation 0f relay |28 en ergizes the succeeding thyratron circuit and the relays |29, |30, |3|, |32 and |33 successively operate in the same manner as described. 'I'he time interval between energization of yeach thyratron circuit and operation of its associated relay may be varied by changing the resistance in each respective circuit corresponding' to resistance |50 in the circuit of thyratron 20.

After all the relays have operated and their switch arms are all brought totheir lower positions, the relays are preferably automatically reset to their normal positions by the means now to be described. The switch arms of the middle switches of relays |21, |28, |29, |30, |3|, |32, and the switch arm of the right-hand switch of relay |33 are all connected together, and through the reset coil |64 of relay |33, and the resistor |65, to one terminal of the battery |68. The other terminal of battery |66 connects through switch |61 to the lower contact of the Arighthand switch of relay |33. 'I'he lower contacts of the middle switches of relays |21, |28, |29, |30, |3|, and |32 are connected through reset coils |68, |69, |10, |1|, |12 and |13, respectively, of relays |21, |28, |29, |30, |3|, and |32 respectively, to the same terminal of source |68 to which resistor |65 is connected. Resistors |14, |15, and |16 are inserted in series with reset coils |12, |13, and |10, the resistors |65, |14,`

|15, and |16 being inserted to delay the resetting of the relays in whose reset circuits they.

after relay |33 has operated, it is only necessary` to break the resetting circuit by opening the switch |61.

The connections of the relays to the polarizing and measuring circuits by which the operation of these circuits are controlled will now be described. The electrode 2| of the polarizing circuit is connected to the switch arm of the right-hand switch of relay |28, while the electrode 22 of the polarizing circuit is connected through switch 24 and direct current source 23 to the switch arm of the right-hand switch of relay |29. The lower contact of the right-hand switch of relay |28 is connected to the upper contact of the righthhand switch of relay |29. The electrode 26 of the measuring circuit is connected to the switch arm of the right-hand switch of relay |21, the lower contact of which is connected to the switch arm of the right-hand switch of relay |3|.

The electrode 21 of the measuring circuit is connected connect to the positive terminal of source 32 and to the negative terminal of source 34, re-

upper contact of the right-hand switch of the relay |32. The positive terminal of source 3d is connectedto the switch arm of the right-hand switch of relay |30, and the negative terminal of source 32 is connected to the switch arm of the right-hand switch of relay |32.

In operation, assume that all relays have just been reset to their normal positions with all switch arms up. The electrodes 26 and 2l will thenibe connected in circuit with meter and balancing circuit il for a period of time te tv (Fig. 5) during which normal earth currents are balanced out. The duration of the interval te t7 may `be varied by changing the value of resistance` |50. The operation of relay |21' initiates the period t'z te the duration of which maybe varied by changing the value of resistance |55. 'Ihe operation of relay |28 closes the polarizing circuit and initiates a period similar to t1 t2 whose duration may be varied by changing resistance |52. The` operation of relay |29 opens the polarizing circuit and initiates a period similar to t1 t2 the duration of which may be varied by changing the value of resistance |53. The operation of relay |35 connects the source 36 and meter 35 in the measuring circuit and initiates the period ta t4 the duration of which maybe varied by changing the value of resistance |55. The operation of relay |3| disconnects the source 34 and meter 35 and connects the source 32 and meter 33 in the measuring circuit, initiating the period t4 t5 the duration of which may be varied by changing the value of resistance |55. The operation of relay |32 disconnects the source 32 and meter 33 and initiates the period t5 te the duration of which may be varied by changing the value of resistance |56. The operation of relay |33 resets all the relays to normal position, which connects the balancing circuit, and a new cycle of operations is begun. In this manner the above described sequence of events may be repeated indefinitely.

It will `be understood that those skilled in the art may devise other apparatus from that herein described for carrying out the methods of my invention, and that various variations in the methods disclosed herein may also be made without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

i. The method of geophysical prospecting comprising polarizing the 4earth for a limited time period, applying electromotive force to the earth during two limited time periods during discharge of the earth polarization following termination of said polarizing period, and measuring earth polarization by observing the diierence in currents flowing in circuit with the' electromotive force during said two time periods.

2. A method of geophyhical prospecting comprising polarizing the earth, successively applying to the earth electromotive forces of opposite direction, and measuring the currents in circuit with said electromotive forces.

3. A method of geophysical prospecting comprising polarizing the earth, successively applying to the earth electromotive forces of opposite direction, and indicating the difference between the currents in circuit with said electromotive forces.

4. A method of geophsyicai prospecting comprising inducing polarization in the earth, applying to the earth in immediate succession and for substantially the same time period electromotive forces of substantially the'same value but of opposite direction, and comparing the currents in the circuits of said electromotive forces.

5. A method of geophysical prospecting comprising polarizingthe earth by application thereto of a unidirectional electromotive force for a limited time period, and measuring the resultant earth polarization at each of a plurality oi times during discharge of said polarization.

6. A method of geophysical prospecting comprising repeatedly polarizing the earth by application thereto of an intermittent unidirectional electromotive force, and successively measuring the resultant earth polarization at a plurality of times within the discharge intervals between periods of application of said electromotive force.

7. A method of geophysical prospecting comy prising repeatedly polarizing the earth by application thereto of an intermittentunidirectional electromotive force, and successively measuring the resultant earth polarization at a plurality of times within the discharge intervals between periods of application of said electromotive force, each of said measurements comprising applying to the earth in succession electromotive forces of prising intermittently po1arlzing thev emu through the intermittent application of a unidirectional electromotive force, applying to the earth an alternating electromotive force in intervals between application of said unidirectional electromotive force, and measuring the current flowing in each direction in thecircuit of said alternating electromotive force. A

9. A method of geophyhical prospecting comprising intermittently applying'to the earth a unidirectional electromotive force to induce polarization therein, applying to the earth an alternating' electromotive force in intervals between application of said unidirectional electromotive force, the time between reversals of said alternating electromotive force being long compared to the time of each application of said unidirectional electromotive force, and measuring the current flowing in each direction in the circuit of said alternating electromotive force.

10. A method of geophysical prospecting comprising intermittently applying to the earth va unidirectional electromotive force to induce polar-- ization therein, applying to the earth an alternatspaced locations, and simultaneously measuring' the polarization of the earth at a pluralityof locations intermediate said frst-mentioned locations.

12. Apparatus for geophysical prospecting comprising a source of direct current, two additional sources of direct current, means for intermittently connecting said rst source in circuit with the earth to induce polarization therein and for successively connecting said additional sources with opposite polarity in circuit with the .earth in 1ntervals between periods of connection of said rst source, and means for measuring thediierence in currents owing in the circuits of said additional SOUICES.

13. 'Apparatus for geophysical prospecting comprising a source of direct current, a. source of alternating current, means for intermittently connecting said rst source in circuit with the earth to induce polarization therein and for connectir'ig said source of alternating current in circuit with the earth in intervals between periods of connection of "said source of direct current, and means for measuring the difference in currents iiowing in each direction from said alternating current source.

14. A method of geophysical prospecting comprising inducing electrolytic polarization in the earth, applying at the same time to each of two diierent portions of the earth successive electromotive forces of opposite direction, and measuring the differences between the currents in the 10 circuits of said successive electromotive forces.l GENNADY POTAPENKO. 

